PASS Team Biographies
James S. Burns
Jim Burns studied
psychology for six years at the Canadian Universities of Calgary and Victoria
and has taught university-level management courses. He has presented numerous
papers (Northwest Mining Association, Butte Montana School of Mines, BC
Mining Association and Mines Accident Prevention Association of Ontario
[MAPAO] annual conference and MAPAO Timmons district meeting)
on his Positive Management process and at the Fire Science Academy, University
of Nevada, Reno. Jim has lectured to over 25,000 managers
and employees throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
He is regarded as an Organizational Process Specialist who assists
international corporations in creating significant improvements in the
Safety, communications, organizational and cultural areas.
The Positive Attitude Safety System (PASS) was developed by Jim Burns and is based on the psychological concepts of Positive Reinforcement, Intervention Therapy and Learned Helplessness. Since 1985, Jim and his associates have been assisting numerous operations throughout the world to implement PASS. This Safety process is recognized internationally by natural resource companies as a significant and necessary component of an overall Safety approach and strategy.
Jim Burns has
worked with individuals and groups in a counseling role for over thirty years; he has held HR and productivity management roles with Canada’s largest
national warehousing company, a major multinational Oil Company and a premier
international consulting company.
Jim has been active in various communities through Rotary, has held executive positions in both union and political organizations and has been a volunteer and director of a "soup kitchen." With his brother Bill Burns, Jim coauthored a movie script (Home Invasions) based on a plot Jim developed. They formed a company called Emerald Sky Productions to market the script until his brother's death in 2003. He has been married to Claire for over thirty years, has three children and resides in Kelowna, BC, Canada, when he is not traveling extensively.
Positive Attitude
Safety System Inc.
James S. Burns
President & Project
Coach
1490 Appleridge Road
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada V1W 3A5
Phone: 1.250.764.1190
Mobile (North America
ONLY): 1.250.878.2746
Toll Free
for North America: 1.800.764.1628
Toll Free
for Australia: 1.800.150.682
Toll Free for New Zealand: 0.800.446.241
Fax: 1.250.764.7048
E-mail: Jim Burns Email
Claire E. Burns
Claire is a founding director of PASS Inc. and has contributed significantly to the development and documentation of the PASS material. She is responsible for the corporate administration and provides direction to PASS Inc. external support resources.
Claire studied Anthropology for four years at the Universities of BC (Vancouver) and Victoria. She has worked on archaeological projects in BC, been involved in several museums (curatorial and managerial positions) and was a public library department head. Besides running the administrative affairs of PASS Inc., she is a director of the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society and is a genealogical researcher and educator. Claire was awarded, by the Ontario Genealogical Society, the Marion Keffer Award for the "Best Original Article" for the year 2000. In addition, Claire sings with and assists in the management of a semi-professional choir, the Okanagan Festival Singers.
When she is not involved with PASS Inc.'s corporate affairs, singing or doing research, she enjoys working in her 'English cottage garden' with over 80 types of roses. Claire's garden was selected for the Kelowna Garden Tour 2001 and was featured in the July/August 2002 issue of Gardens West magazine.
Positive Attitude
Safety System Inc.
Claire Burns
Manager of Administration
1490 Appleridge Road
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada V1W 3A5
Phone: 1.250.764.1190
Toll Free
for North America: 1.800.764.1628
Toll Free
for Australia: 1.800.150.682
Toll Free for New Zealand: 0.800.446.241
Fax: 1.250.764.7048
E-mail: Claire Burns Email
Victor
C. Seedwell
Vic has extensive natural resource experience with an educational background in mechanical engineering. He has worked with numerous multinational companies in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Argentina. For over seven years, he has been working with the PASS process and has implemented the process in numerous operations throughout Australia, Asia and South America.
Previous to purchasing the PASS Indonesia (1997); Argentina (2002); Peru and Chile (2007) Franchises, he was the Managing Director of PASS Australia. He currently lives in Indonesia, speaks the Indonesian language and has an excellent understanding of the Indonesian culture. All of the PASS material is available in Indonesian and all training and coaching in the process is also done in Indonesian. Vic has been assisting clients in Indonesia for several years and has excellent experience in implementing and establishing the PASS process in foreign-owned operations in isolated locations. Some of his major natural resource clients are BHP, Rio Tinto, MIM and Premier Oil Natuna Sea Ltd.
On October 17, 2003, the Governor-General of Australia awarded Vic Seedwell the medal of the 'Order of Australia' (OAM) for his distinguished humanitarian service regarding the assistance he provided after the Bali Bombing.
Indonesian (Bali) Address:
Positive
Attitude Safety System Indonesia Franchise
Vic Seedwell
Managing Director
Vic Seedwell
PT. Positif Keselamatan
Kerja
Jalan Kartika Plaza, Gang
Rasta No.8B
Kuta, Bali
Indonesia 80361
Phone: 62.361.764.129
Fax: 62.361.754.914
E-mail:
positif@indosat.net.id or
seedwell@indosat.net.id
Mark W. Goodwin
Mark is the Managing Director and owner of PASS Australia. His background was initially in the marine industry with over 14 years in various types of shipping, mainly on petroleum and crude oil tankers. He has a Master Class One Certificate and has held the position of Captain. More recently, Mark has spent eight years working in the oil and gas industry. For the first five years, he managed offshore operations on various Floating, Production, Storage and Off-take Facilities.
During the last
three years, he held office-based roles in a number of Australian and South
East Asian locations. Mark is also a qualified and admitted lawyer in Australia.
He worked with Jim Burns and the PASS process during his last four
years with BHP Petroleum.
Since becoming the owner of PASS Australia in 1997, Mark and his associates have been actively involved in implementing and supporting PASS with clients across a number of industries such as mining, construction and steel (including Pasminco, Bechtel, Rio Tinto and BHP Steel). Mark is responsible for coordinating support for the numerous PASS clients and their sites, throughout Australia. He is also responsible for marketing and travels extensively across Australia. Mark resides in New South Wales and operates from the PASS Australia head office located in Brisbane, Queensland.
Positive
Attitude Safety System Australia Pty. Ltd.
Mark Goodwin
PO Box 136
Hamilton, Qld
Australia 4007
Phone: 61.07.
3868.3988
Fax: 61.07. 3868.4988
Mobile: 61.0419.814048
E-mail: passaust@ozemail.com.au
Brian Alexander
Brian is the Managing Director and owner of PASS New Zealand Ltd. and has the exclusive consulting rights to the PASS process for New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.
Brian played the key role in implementing the PASS process in our first New Zealand operation. Since 1996, he has provided consistent support for the PASS process and his leadership has achieved outstanding Safety results in all of BHP’s Stevedoring operations. In addition, he was instrumental in gaining support for PASS from the Stevedoring Union and establishing the PASS process in the acquired Stevedoring Operation in Lyttelton.
Brian not only brings six years of client experience with the PASS process but also a wealth of operational experience and knowledge. He was an operations manager for eight years with BHP, Australia's Largest National Resource Company, and has over ten years supervisory experience with Associated Stevedores Ltd. Also, Brian has managed his family farm and assisted with the development of a kiwifruit orchard from bare land to production. His managerial and supervisory experience with the Stevedoring operations provide him with an excellent background to assist clients to establish and support the PASS process in demanding work environments.
Brian graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 and has successfully completed numerous professional development courses. He has lived all his life in New Zealand and will base PASS New Zealand Ltd. in Mt. Maunganui.
Positive Attitude
Safety System New Zealand Limited
Brian Alexander
Managing Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64.9.849.6424
Mobile: 64.29.574.0400
E-mail: passnz@paradise.net.nz
John F. Lawson 
John is the Managing Director of John F. Lawson & Associates Pty. Limited and first became associated with Jim Burns and his consulting practice in February 1991. He assists in the marketing of the PASS process within Australia and strategic planning for international expansion of the PASS franchises. John has participated in several international meetings with Jim and his fellow consultants, both in New Zealand and Canada. Also, John Lawson has purchased the PASS Franchise for China. He has been travelling to Hongkong and mainland China developing contacts and networks for future PASS opportunities in China.
John holds directorships
on the following boards:
• John F. Lawson &
Associates Pty. Limited, 1991 to present
• Positive Attitude
Safety System (Australia) Pty. Ltd., 1994 to 1997
• Queensland Corrections
– Deputy Chairman, 1998 to 1999
• Positive Attitude
Safety System Inc. – Director, 2000 to present
He has more than 20 years experience as a full-time employee relations practitioner. His initial experience was gained as an officer of a major trade union. Since 1987, he has primarily represented corporate clients through associations with legal firms, the consulting firm Strategies and, since 1991, through his own business.
John F. Lawson & Associates is a Brisbane-based employee relations consultancy operating since 1991. The firm also operates under the registered business name of Corporate Workplace Relations Consulting. The firm practices in all areas of management but particularly in developing and implementing strategic plans and planning processes. His firm is actively involved in the development of remuneration strategies and systems involving hierarchal, organisational value and market inputs. The firm is results-oriented and specialises in developing and implementing innovative solutions to management issues, particularly solutions which lead to workforce and management attitudinal change.
Positive Attitude Safety System Inc.
John F. Lawson
Directory
GPO Box 1071
Brisbane, Qld Australia 4001
Phone: 61.07.3369.6888
Fax: 61.07.3369.6722
Mobile: 61.0411.876.967
E-mail: jflpl@bigpond.com.au
Christy Willett
In 2005, Christy joined PASS as a Consultant and has been working with international clients such as Cleveland Cliffs and Rio Tinto. She was first exposed to PASS in 2001 when she worked at BHP Billiton's Ekati Diamond Mine and was trained by Jim Burns.
Christy is a
qualified Chef and studied cooking at the Culinary Institute of Canada,
Charlottetown, PEI and Camosun College, Victoria, BC. In addition to
cooking at the Oak Bay Marina in Victoria, Fairmont Kananaskis Lodge in
Alberta and the Manza Onsen Hotel in Japan, she has worked in various operations
in Northern Canada. Christy used
her cooking skills to finance her travels (Below: Christy at the Great Wall of
China)
and
her university studies in Canada, France and Japan.
She has an Honours Degree (specializing in International Studies) and received scholarships while studying at Trent University (Cranston Scholarship) and Kansai Gaidai University in Japan (Gakushu Shoreihi Scholarship). In addition, she has studied in France at the University of Pau.
Christy has also worked as
a Research Assistant and has completed
courses at the Canadian
Securities Institute while employed by the
National Bank Financial, Special Services Department in Vancouver, BC.
Christy is a highly responsible and independent individual with a positive attitude and has a great deal of enthusiasm that is reflected in her interactions with our clients. She recently completed the eight-day Adventure West Outward Bound Course in Western Australia under the direction of Peter Adamson. When in Kelowna, she is an avid Volunteer for many community organizations.
Positive Attitude
Safety System Inc.
Christy Willett
Consultant
1490 Appleridge Road
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada V1W 3A5
Mobile:
1.250.826.5556
Office:
1.250.979.1407
Toll Free
for North America: 1.800.764.1628
Fax:
1.250.764.7048
E-mail: cwillett@passinc.net
Ramin Nann
In early 2007, Ramin joined PASS Inc. and has spent the majority of his time consulting with his primary client, Xstrata Copper's Kidd Creek Metallurgical site located in Timmins, ON. He has a BA in Psychology and English, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management and Accounting from Thompson Rivers University and has taken courses in Database Systems Management at BCIT. He is working towards the Certified Human Resources Professional Designation and was recently employed in Mountain Equipment Co-op’s HR Department in Vancouver, BC.
Ramin
brings an entrepreneurial background spanning over 10 years having owned a
successful promotional products company located in Port Kells, Surrey, BC. He
has worked as a software trainer and technician based in Calgary, AB and has
worked for a large Canadian telecommunications company located in Burnaby, BC.
Ramin has a passion for strategic leadership, organizational development and helping organizations and people reach their highest potential. He is an avid reader of books and articles ranging from business to politics and technology to demographics. He likes the outdoors, training big dog breeds, and helping friends and family with home renovations. Ramin calls Kamloops, BC home where he is involved in various community groups.
Positive Attitude Safety System Inc.
Ramin Nann
Consultant
1490 Appleridge Road
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada V1W 3A5
Mobile:
1.250.572.2655
Office: 1.250.764.1190
Toll Free for North America: 1.800.764.1628
Fax: 1.250.764.7048
E-mail: rnann@passinc.net
Mike Gajdos
Mike is our newest consultant and was born and raised in Montréal, Québec and is fluent in French, English and Hungarian. His main consulting engagement will be for Xstrata Copper’s Horne Smelter located in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada.
Mike has outstanding leadership skills and has traveled extensively with the military to over 20 countries. During his many years with the Canadian Armed Forces, Mike has held positions of leadership such as: Captain for Military Intelligence Squadron; Assault Tank Commander (four assault tanks) and other roles including all aspects of training and development, daily duties and various additional assignments. He has also participated in many overseas missions with NATO and the United Nations and has received numerous medals for outstanding performance.
Most
recently, Mike was the Regional Manager for Bell Canada in charge of corporate
communications to businesses across BC and Alberta. Mike has also worked in
executive roles for Shell Canada’s head office in Calgary, and Canon Canada in
Vancouver.
On his time off Mike enjoys fishing, hiking, and going to the gym. Mike is also a Porsche enthusiast who likes to tinker with his vintage Porsche 911 and he is also a fanatic of older model Saab 900’s.
Positive Attitude
Safety System Inc.
Mike Gajdos
Consultant
1490 Appleridge Road
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada V1W 3A5
Mobile:
1.250.681.0036
Office:
1.250.764.1190
Toll Free
for North America: 1.800.764.1628
Fax:
1.250.764.7048
E-mail: mgajdos@passinc.net